The Next, Best West

Using three stories from around the American West, The Next, Best West explores how the conventional concept of progress has influenced the exploitation of our natural resources, and how our collective understanding of progress is coming full circle with the promise of a brighter future. In southern Colorado, we go out on the range with a ranching family that practices a new approach that uses livestock to heal damaged places and takes a 500 year view of the future. In Eastern Montana, the American Prairie Reserve is embarking on perhaps the largest single ecosystem regeneration effort in American history. On Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, the historic Elwha River Restoration Project is the nation’s largest dam removal project to date.

CREDITS
Producers: Darren Campbell and Hunter Sykes
Directed by: Hunter Sykes and Darren Campbell
Cinematography: Vladimir VanMaule and Darren Campbell
Creative Direction and Screenplay: Hal Clifford
Edited by: Hunter Sykes
Narration: Traci Svensgaard

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS
Producer/Director/Editor Hunter Sykes grew up among the mountains and canyons of western Colorado but has spent his life enjoying the activities and opportunities offered by both mountains and sea, having worked as a guide and instructor of numerous outdoor sports as well as in marine and terrestrial policy consulting. He has a BA in History with a minor in Geography from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an MA in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California.

Producer/Director/Cinematographer Darren Campbell has lived around the American West for the past twenty-plus years where his life-long passion for skiing and other outdoor pursuits helped nurture his keen interest in environmental conservation and sustainability. After 15 years in the ski industry, Darren switched gears to focus on environmental issues and sustainability. He has a BA in Environmental Conservation with a minor in Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an MA in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California.

FILMMAKER CONTACT
www.coldstreamcreative.com
contact@coldstreamcreative.com

MAJOR FUNDERS
Self-funded with assistance from:
The Flora Foundation
The Barbara Lee Foundation
and private donations

AWARDS
The Next, Best West has received the following accolades:
Winner: Best Nature Film, Yosemite Film Festival 2012
Official Selection, Wild and Scenic Film Festival, 2012
Official Selection, Colorado Environmental Film Festival, 2012
Official Selection, Ashland Independent Film Festival, 2012
Official Selection, Santa Rosa International Film Festival, 2012
Official Selection, Bend Independent Film Festival, 2012
Official Selection, Silicon Valley Film Festival, 2012
PURCHASE FILM
MoPix
Green Planet Stream